Grooming Advice Required

[Dogsfevr]

teaching your dog to accept the dryer is a good thing,if you go to a salon they will dry it or fluff it out before clipping/scissoring.

We will often fluff out the coats because it really seperates the coat & makes it easier to work with

[SkySoaringMagpie]

There's been some mention of "good" slickers. We use Doggyman because they are gentle and effective.

[Crazy Daisy]

Your dog will have to get used to the dryer as one day you are probably going to want to have him professionally groomed and they WILL use a dryer.

With all my dogs I have taken them into my bathroom when I am drying my hair and say "dry, dry, dry" when they come towards me I give them treats. When they seem comfortable with the noise and focussed on me I slowly turn the dryer towards the dog saying "good dry, good dry" giving the dog a treat.

My dogs run to the dryer after a bath because they know they get treats when they behave well while being dried.

[frufru]

Muffinmclay, If your dogs coat is at the point where you are contemplating a dematting rake - shave it off and start again. Numerous people (with grooming backgrounds and plenty of experience with poodle coats) have suggested that you invest in a "good" slicker and a metal comb.

Good slickers

Les Pooch

doggyman

gripsoft

Lawrence

Gripsoft are probably the most readily available from good pet stores and vets etc. The others are all easily found on the internet.

[cavNrott]

I agree with all of the above - though i doubt as a pet owner she would be using a dryer on the dog??

As a pet owner I have a large powerful dryer on a stand and my dogs are quite comfortable with it blowing on them as I groom them. I have Cavaliers and they're almost completely dry by the time I take them off the grooming table.

Why would a pet owner not use a dryer on a dog

[Koemi]

I agree with all of the above - though i doubt as a pet owner she would be using a dryer on the dog??

Why not? Way before I was a professional groomer I always used our hand held dryer to blow dry our dogs after grooming. Much better than having a wet mess running around the house that ends up in tangles. Not to mention a great way to see down to the dogs skin.

I was quite surprised to discover how many of my clients actually use dryers on their dogs. It's quite nice to have a doggie come in for their first clip and not poop themself with fear!

[kirst_goldens]

I agree with all of the above - though i doubt as a pet owner she would be using a dryer on the dog??

As a pet owner I have a large powerful dryer on a stand and my dogs are quite comfortable with it blowing on them as I groom them. I have Cavaliers and they're almost completely dry by the time I take them off the grooming table.

Why would a pet owner not use a dryer on a dog

i dont know any pet owners that own a dryer or would to think to use theirs on their dog, but i see now that there are alot that do I think its a great idea but didnt realise that it would be something a pet owner would do, im glad that u guys are though i think its fantastic investment and worth its weight in gold!!!!

Also most pet owners come to me to get their dog bathed so dont do it themselves at home so would not need a dryer

dont know why i never thought of it?? LOL

[Dogsfevr]

all our pet owners blow dry there dogs per or instructions on grooming,the gereater number of our clients who bath between grooms blow dry there dogs especially in winter

[Zug Zug]

I use my own hairdryer - do it outside on the bench under our pergola. My neighbours think it's hilarious.

[tlc]

My lot all got used to the dryer from the minute they came to me. They came into the bathroom with me while I dryed my hair and when it came time for them to have thier first bath, they were fine with the dryer. It is amazing how many people are shocked when I say I do my own grooming as they can't even get a brush through thier dogs as they say the dog hates it?? I feel for groomers that have to deal with long coated breeds that are not used to being brushed and dryed it must be a nightmare!!

I figure I must be doing something right as my youngest lays down and goes to sleep while Im clipping him one always wants to go first when she sees the brush or the clippers and the older two are quite happy to stand and be clipped and scissored. It is great to be able to groom dogs that are willing participants.

[t-time]

Another reason that going to a registered breeder is GOLD ;)

All my pups are taught to be dried from day dot - first bath at about 3-4 weeks and they get used to hearing the dryer as soon as their ears open 'cos the other dogs have to be done.

Even though they usually don't need a bath, they are bathed once a week from then until they go to their new homes and hear the blowdryer every second day. Certainly helps to desensitise little ones and make it easier for new owners. Not saying it's 100% effective but all those extra experiences help with a breed who will always have to be bathed and dried.

[Crazy Daisy]

My Shih Tzu Daisy falls asleep while being groomed sometimes too It is hilarious watching her standing perfectly still and then her head drops, then she gets a bit of a lean and then falls over as she falls asleep ;)

[kirst_goldens]

hahaha

it can be a pain to groom the dogs that arnt used to being brushed and are very sensitive to it, but when u get dogs like crazy daisy's in it makes it all worth while i love grooming the dogs that love the attention

i have one that comes in and will keep spinning around so that the dryer is blowing directly onto his face and when u turn him he gets all huffy hahaha the only dog i have known to do this but he is soo cute! I love getting puppies in as well get to make sure all their grooming experiences are really fun, so makes it more fun in the future!! i always reccomend to puppy owners to use the hair dryer in the same room as the puppy and progress slowly from there as mentioned earlier as it makes it much nicer for them and of course finish on a good note and give big cuddles and a treat!!

[shells]

I use my own hairdryer - do it outside on the bench under our pergola. My neighbours think it's hilarious.

Me too except mine just blew up and burst into flames - actual flames LOL. Time to upgrade I think.

As for slickers I took FruFru's recommendation (from the poodle thread) and picked up a Gripsoft from our local vet (I would love a les pooch but $$$$) and it is 10 times better than the dodgy "slicker" we got from the pet shop and reasonably priced at $15.

I also recomend some ear powder for plucking - makes it heaps easier.

As for the dryer. My boy didn't really like it but lots of praise, treats and using it on a low setting has got him to happily accept it.

Good luck

[tlc]

Me too except mine just blew up and burst into flames - actual flames LOL. Time to upgrade I think.

I also recomend some ear powder for plucking - makes it heaps easier.

that must have scared you!!

There is only one of mine that I have to pluck ears and I just do it nice and quick, it doesn't take long and he doesn't mind at all. I was quite suprised as I thought it would hurt but he doesn't bat an eye at all.

[becks]

It always surprises me how many dogs I am told 'freak at the dryer' then when I bath them they have no problem with my big stand dryer! I supose it comes down to how the dryer is introduced! How many pet people turn the dryer on while it is pointed at the dog, or have it on a hot setting and on one spot for to long or to close?

[shells]

I was quite suprised as I thought it would hurt but he doesn't bat an eye at all. smile.gif

Me too except mine just blew up and burst into flames - actual flames LOL. Time to upgrade I think.

I also recomend some ear powder for plucking - makes it heaps easier.

I was told it was "dead" hair. I found the powder really helped. I bought some hemostats to try and get the trickier bits but find it difficult (therefore dangerous) so a professional groom is on the cards every 6 months for us

I bought the hairdryer 10 years ago for $10 LOL I had well and truely got my monies worth but it was scary yet amusing at the same time (I dont think I would have been laughing if I had burnt the house down though )

[muffinmclay]

Sorry, I just want to clarify that my dogs are actually professionally groomed, including clipped, twice a year in the warmer months. However, over winter I let their coat get quite long and wanted to prevent matting and horrid-ness, rather than needing to fix something that has already happened. I got a dematting rake on the weekend and, despite cutting myself twice, it was very effective at stripping out the undercoat and getting the knots out. My boys both look lovely now after being de-mattified, combed, shampooed, conditioned, ears plucked, feet and eyebrows trimmed

[Dogsfevr]

Muffin you are still better to get them clipped through winter,they dont have to be done as short but will be done at a length that is easy to maintain for the weather.

If you have trouble keeping control of the coats then better to get a winter cut

[casowner]

I always tell clients that it is vital to maintain clips throughout winter for various reasons including the fact that when in "winter coat" they take longer to dry and if they do mat the skin can become infected as it can't dry out properly. People also tend to still put coats on their fluffy dogs in winter speeding up the matting process.

Any pics of your newly beautified babies?